A project manager notices a previously high-performing, key team member's performance has declined. What should the project manager do to motivate and improve that team member's performance?

The most effective approach is to discuss the issue directly with the team member and collaboratively agree on a course of action. This respects the team member's autonomy, allows for understanding the root cause of the performance decline (which could be personal or professional), and fosters commitment to the solution. Assigning more challenging tasks without understanding the problem could exacerbate the issue. Acknowledging the team member in a leadership forum is a form of recognition, but it doesn't address the underlying performance decline. Providing step-by-step mentoring might be a component of the agreed-upon solution, but it shouldn't be the first step; understanding the problem comes first.